Improving downtown Erie's landscape

John Buchna has been thinking about curb appeal lately — particularly how enhancing the look of many downtown intersections could be a perfect fit for one of his nonprofit's newest projects.

Buchna, the executive director of the Erie Downtown Partnership, said the organization is interested in taking over routine maintenance of curb "bump outs" installed along many downtown streets, which can get overgrown with high weeds and thick grass.

Buchna said he plans to talk soon with city of Erie officials and downtown property owners about the plan.

"Some of them look OK. But they can look better," Buchna said of the bump outs. "We can help to make the whole city better."

The bump outs are rounded extensions of the curb that bump out into street intersections. They were installed in 2011 as part of a federally funded, $3.5 million plan that brought new sidewalks, curbs, landscaping and street lighting to areas throughout downtown Erie.

Some bump outs have planters, grass, other plants and even small trees growing in their centers. Keeping them maintained is the responsibility of the property owner whose property abuts that bump out, according to Dave Mulvihill, the city's assistant director of public works.

"It's the property owner's responsibility all the way to the curb," Mulvihill said. " Similar to having to clear your sidewalks during the winter."

However, Buchna said, the Erie Downtown Partnership is willing to take on the responsibility of grooming the bump outs via cutting grass, planting flowers, trimming trees and handling other simple landscaping "with our own maintenance people and our volunteers."

The Downtown Partnership serves a 70-block area, from Sassafras to Holland streets between the Bayfront Parkway and 14th Street. Property owners within the district support the organization with an assessment based on property value, as well as membership fees.

While the organization employs a two-person, full-time maintenance crew, Buchna said the Downtown Partnership sees maintaining the bump outs as an opportunity for its Care About Revitalizing Erie volunteers to improve aesthetics in the center city.

C.A.R.E. is an initiative launched by the Downtown Partnership to form a team of volunteers to work on improvement projects and programs as part of the nonprofit’s new fundraising and community engagement mechanism.

Volunteer “C.A.R.E. captains” lead the volunteer teams, working on projects that aim to keep downtown Erie safe, clean and enjoyable for visitors and those who work in the area. A July 19 C.A.R.E. cleanup of the area near Union Station and Griswold Park is one example.

"From a beautification standpoint, this is a chance to put our best foot forward," Buchna said. "It will help the city. It will help the nearby property owners, because we'll take over the maintenance. And it's not just about the bump outs. This would probably give us a chance to look at areas block by block, to see what areas we can help clean up and make improvements."

Buchna said he has no specific timetable for starting the bump out maintenance.

"I would think it will only take a few conversations, and then we can start executing it," Buchna said.

Mulvihill said the city would welcome the Downtown Partnership's assistance.

"If they did it, that would be great," Mulvihill said.

Kevin Flowers can be reached at 870-1693 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNflowers.